Ch: 29 Tainted Trust

Even though Luke and I didn’t get a chance to talk much in person since our red carpet date, I decided I should at least be honest and text him to let him know Daniel would be coming over to train him the next two days. I was hoping Luke might insist I come instead, that having Gina at his place was all a mistake. Instead he said he understood because things were a bit “complicated,” and he promised to explain more in “due time.”
They were complicated all right. I didn’t understand why he couldn’t give me any answers or at least tell me how he felt about me. And I certainly didn’t want to wait for “due time,” whatever that meant. The tough part was waiting around, doing nothing and expecting Daniel’s report.
After the first day, Daniel didn’t have much to say, except that Luke asked about me at least 5 times and Gina looked bored, texting on her phone. When I asked for more details, I got radio silence.
Sitting at home the following day, worrying, pacing the floor a few times, wondering what Luke asked about me, Michelle suggested I give up and just go over to Luke’s and face him myself. I decided she was right, and I departed for Luke’s to demand some answers.
Katie answered the door, and I explained that my cousin was already with Luke, probably in the gym. I didn’t see Gina on the couch, but noticed her signature cup and straw on the coffee table. I figured she was probably in the gym with the men.
Before I lost my courage, I scurried down the hall to the gym. When I came in the door, they all stared, a little surprised to see me. I stopped frozen, like a thief who’s just been caught, looking at the staring eyes. Daniel and Luke were in between sets, placing their weights on the floor, while Gina sat on her throne like a princess.
“I…I. I’m sorry I’m late. Thanks, Daniel, for filling in for me,” I said, trying to make up some excuse for being there.
“Sure thing, Cuz,” Daniel said, going along with me.
“Can I talk to you real quick?” I asked Luke. He nodded and walked into the hallway with me. We found our way down to the room next to the pool, Luke looking a little perturbed.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m not very good with patience. It’s just, I need to know one thing. Are you in love with Gina?”
“No. Oh, Stella.” He caressed my cheek. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it? I don’t understand,” I said, searching his face.
“You know I’d been planning to take Gina to the premiere, but it was mostly a business decision. Her manager thought she needed to be seen with a more established star. She’s been trying to snag a role in a superhero movie, so being associated with me looked good for her career. And well, you know I wanted the media buzz too, so it worked out. We got to know each other a little bit, but nothing serious.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I asked, wanting to believe Luke.
“It makes me look like such a user.” He said. “I don’t want you to think I just date girls for my image. It’s been really tough to find women who are interested in me, for me, and not my fame and money.”
I nodded, feeling much better, but I still had one more question to ask before I’d let Luke off the hook.
“And why exactly is she staying here?”
“That day she was in the car accident, I knew she was upset with me. She’d started to become a little too attached. I tried to let her know I didn’t feel the same way, and she stormed out. Then she got in the accident.”
“It’s not your fault, you know.” I put my hand on his shoulder.
“I know, but I still want to help her. She’s otherwise been a pretty good friend.”
The way Luke smiled, a genuine grin on his face, I knew he was right. He WAS a big softie in a strong man’s body. A very sexy and strong body.
“I should probably come clean to you about something, too,” I said. Just as I was about to tell Luke about leaking our trainer/client relationship to old Mrs. Rosa, Katie stormed in.
“Luke, we have a problem.” Katie showed Luke something on her phone screen.
“Where’d they get this?” he asked.
“I’m pretty sure it could only be one of two people,” Katie said in her characteristic icy tone. Luke looked at me and nodded. I didn’t know what was going on, but Luke asked me to follow him as he and Katie walked back toward the gym. Daniel was there, working on his biceps, doing some curls, and Gina continued to sit in the office chair, immersed in her phone.
“Which one of you sent these photos?” Katie asked, holding up her own phone. I still couldn’t make out what made her so upset. Gina looked up from her phone while Daniel put down his dumbbell.
“What are you talking about?” asked Daniel.
“Yeah, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” echoed Gina. Personally, I was thoroughly confused too. What photos?
“You two were the only two here when Luke was working out in this outfit. Now hand over your phones,” Katie said in a demanding voice, clearly living up to the no nonsense manager Luke liked to have in his corner.
“Sure. Here. Mine died like 2 hours ago. This battery. I have to get a new one,” said Daniel and handed Katie his phone. I smirked, remembering how I couldn’t get a hold of him the night before.
“Yeah, I tried to text him last night. Same thing. No answer,” I said.
Gina looked around, unsure how to answer the accusation. All eyes were on her. “I just, I’m so sorry, Luke,” she said, starting to cry, her voice sounding whiny and weak. “I think the car accident must have messed with my head. I didn’t mean for it to spread so fast.”
“So you sent these yesterday?” he asked. She nodded feebly.
“You kept asking Daniel about Stella and I just… I…”
Luke took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and tilted his head back. For a moment, he let his head hang like that before he bore a hollow stare at Gina. “The only thing I asked of you was trust. I would have given you anything. I would have helped you. What you did was just dumb.”
“I’m sorry, I swear,” she said, looking like a scared little girl after Luke’s scolding. “But what’s she got that’s so special? I mean those paparazzi pictures were hideous. I thought they’d make you see she’s not good for your image.”
“That was you, too?” asked Luke. Gina nodded. “You can stay the night, but tomorrow, you’ll have to make other arrangements.” Luke looked very upset, a vein popping out of his neck, but he kept his cool. I had already felt better once Luke told me about his true feelings for Gina, but kicking her out was icing on the cake.
“I’ll go do damage control,” Katie said and walked out. “I don’t think it will be too bad. Lyle might be upset.” Gina sat in the chair and cried. Luke wheeled her out and offered to push her to her room. I told Luke I’d talk to him later, thinking it best that Daniel and I leave. Luke nodded in agreement.
With the night’s drama, I still hadn’t discovered the truth. Daniel and I left, but not without wondering what exactly was in those pictures Katie uncovered.
While one thing was certain, Luke definitely didn’t love Gina, but was he into me?